🇻🇪 El Nacional
Venezuela · ES · https://www.elnacional.com
About El Nacional
El Nacional is owned by C.A. Editorial El Nacional and is currently directed by Miguel Henrique Otero, whose family founded the newspaper in 1943. Otero has been in exile since 2015. The outlet's main headquarters was embargoed in May 2021 by Diosdado Cabello, a high-ranking official in Venezuela's ruling Socialist Party, following a civil defamation case.
El Nacional is known for its strong anti-government stance and harsh criticism of the Venezuelan government, operating as one of the last independent newspapers in a country with a 'not-free' press environment. The outlet has faced constant harassment, pressures, and aggressions from government entities, including paper shortages that led to the cessation of its print edition in 2018, and its website has been blocked by internet providers since 2022. Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House consistently report severe restrictions on press freedom in Venezuela, with journalists facing intimidation, threats, and arbitrary imprisonment. These conditions severely impact the outlet's ability to operate freely and independently, despite its efforts to provide critical news.
Reading context
Outlets in Venezuela often work under tighter political or legal limits than in countries ranked as fully free for press. We keep each headline's original tone on purpose, so you can see how stories are usually framed for domestic readers.
Spielberg says new alien film 'Disclosure Day' has 'more truth than fiction'
- Steven Spielberg unveiled his new film
Journalists covering union protest in Caracas face intimidation
- Journalists covering a union protest outside Venezuela's Supreme Court in Caracas faced intimidation when a security official photographed their identification and faces. - The incident, which occur…
Champions: Atlético-Arsenal and PSG-Bayern in semifinals
- Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Arsenal and Bayern Munich, respectively, in the Champions League semifinals. - The first leg matches are scheduled for April 28 and May 6, wit…
Bus Plunges Into Abyss in Ecuador, Killing 14 and Injuring 29
- A bus crash in Ecuador's Azuay province killed at least 14 people and injured 29 when it fell into an abyss and caught fire. - Emergency services are searching for more victims, with the death toll …
US Appoints John Barrett as Venezuela Charge d'Affaires, Shifting to Economic Control Phase
- John Barrett assumes the role of U.S. charge d'affaires in Venezuela, signaling a shift towards strict economic control. - Barrett's mandate includes overseeing Venezuela's budgets to prevent financ…
On This Day: Key Historical Events and Birthdays of April 16th
- The article lists notable historical events and birthdays that occurred on April 16th. - Key events include the discovery of the Malvinas Islands, Fidel Castro declaring the Cuban Revolution communi…
Macron Meets Machado, Sánchez Declines Photo Op Amid European Tour
- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado will visit Madrid, meeting with Spanish right-wing and far-right political leaders. - Machado will not meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánche…
U.S. Appoints John Barrett as New Chargé d'Affaires in Venezuela
- The U.S. has appointed career diplomat John Barrett as its new Chargé d'Affaires in Venezuela, replacing Laura Dogu. - Barrett has extensive experience in complex diplomatic environments, with previ…
Sussexes' Australia Visit: Social Focus Meets Public Scrutiny
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are visiting Australia with an agenda focused on social issues and emotional well-being. - Their tour emphasizes community engagement, including visiting a women's she…
5 Simple Ways to Lose Abdominal Fat
- Abdominal fat is a common concern for health and appearance, increasing the risk of serious health issues like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and heart disease. - Experts attribute abdominal…
Iran threatens Persian Gulf trade blockade if US maintains Hormuz blockade
- Iran has warned it will block all trade in the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman, and Red Sea if the US continues its naval blockade of Iranian commercial and oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. - A senior…
Lenyn Sosa Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
- Venezuelan infielder Lenyn Sosa has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays from the Chicago White Sox. - The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) confirmed the trade, which involved outfield…
The New Authoritarianism: No Utopian Promises, Just Fear of Worse
- New authoritarian regimes have shifted from promising utopian futures to emphasizing stability and preventing worse outcomes. - Venezuela exemplifies this trend, where power is maintained through ad…
The country where no one trusts anyone
- Venezuela has experienced a profound loss of trust over nearly three decades, affecting relationships between citizens and the state, as well as among individuals. - This erosion of trust is attribu…
Hungarian People Say 'Russians, Go Home' as Orbán Ousted in Landslide Election
- Hungarian voters ousted long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party in a significant political shift. - The Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, secured a supermajority, enabling constit…
The Misfortune of Sucre and Venezuela: Critical Water Tunnel Failure Sparks Crisis
- A critical water tunnel in eastern Venezuela, the Guamacán tunnel of the Turimiquire system, has failed, causing a severe water crisis in Sucre and Nueva Esparta states. - Government officials initi…
Artificial Intelligence and the Challenge of Critical Thinking
- The article expresses concern that new generations of students, while having easy access to information via AI, are failing to develop critical thinking skills. - It argues that information is power…
The centenary of the Second World War: a 20-year project
- A project analyzing the Second World War from 1931, focusing on its antecedents and relationship with historiography and cinema, has been launched. - This ambitious 20-year project expands on a prev…
¿María Corina Machado is the leader Venezuela needs?
- María Corina Machado has emerged as a significant political figure in Venezuela, hailed internationally with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her anti-authoritarian stance. - Despite international acc…
Oldest Depiction of Venezuelan Musicians Found in Colonial Painting
- A colonial-era painting from Venezuela, dating to around 1700, depicts musicians possibly playing a joropo, representing the oldest known visual of Venezuelan musicians. - The joropo, Venezuela's na…
On This Day: April 15th Historical Events
- The article lists historical events that occurred on April 15th, including Christopher Columbus's triumphant return to Spain in 1493. - It notes the premiere of George Frideric Handel's opera 'Serse…
El Nacional: Venezuela in Institutional Limbo, Calls for Credible Elections 'Now!'
- The article critiques the current Venezuelan political situation, describing it as an institutional limbo with a facade of 'openness' and 'peace' masking underlying undemocratic practices. - It high…
Machado: Trump Has Been the Only Head of State to Risk Citizens' Lives for Venezuela's Freedom
- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado stated that Donald Trump is the only head of state who has risked his citizens' lives for Venezuela's freedom. - Machado believes that Delcy Rodrígu…
China or the US? Who is winning the race to dominate AI technology
- The United States and China are engaged in a high-stakes technological race, primarily focused on dominating Artificial Intelligence (AI), mirroring the 20th-century nuclear arms race. - The US lead…
Digitel awards scholarships to Universidad Monteávila students
- Digitel has awarded scholarships to 17 students from Universidad Monteávila (UMA) in Venezuela as part of its social responsibility program. - This initiative supports UMA's expansion into new techn…
Venezuela leads medal tally at South American Youth Games
- Venezuela has taken the lead in the medal tally at the IV South American Youth Games in Panama, securing three gold medals on the first day. - Judo and wrestling contributed to Venezuela's success, …
US Senator Criticizes Venezuela's Appointment of Devoe as Attorney General
- A US senator criticized Venezuela's appointment of Larry Devoe as the new Attorney General. - The senator called the appointment a "missed opportunity" for independent voices. - This criticism comes…
U.S. Vice President: It's Up to Iran to Take Next Step Towards Peace
- U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran must take the next step towards peace after U.S. negotiations in Pakistan. - Vance emphasized that the U.S. has clearly communicated its "red lines" reg…
Two killed in another US attack on boat in the Pacific
- The U.S. military conducted a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking. - U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was using know…
Guanipa: Venezuelans remain as optimistic as they are desperate amid political uncertainty
- Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa is touring the country advocating for early elections. - Guanipa insists that fair elections require political prisoners to be freed, exiles to return…
On This Day: Lincoln's Assassination, Titanic Sinking, and Mexico's Earthquake
- On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth and died the next day. - Major historical events on this date include a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Mexico in 1907 and the …
The victim is the truth
- Jorge Rodríguez, a key figure in Venezuela's government, stated he learned from January 3rd that 'the other' is not an enemy and that reconciliation is necessary. - He claims to have spoken with Nic…
Another Mexican Dies in U.S. ICE Custody; Mexico Cites 'Grave Deficiencies'
- Another Mexican national has died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, Mexico's Foreign Ministry reported. - The death occurred on April 11 in Winn Correctional Center, Louisia…
Two tankers turn back at Hormuz after U.S. blockade takes effect; Trump warns of 'immediate elimination' for breaches
- Two oil tankers changed course near the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. imposed a blockade on the strategic waterway. - The U.S. Central Command stated the blockade would be enforced impartially aga…
190 Venezuelan Migrants Repatriated from US Arrive in Venezuela
- A flight carrying 190 Venezuelan migrants repatriated from the United States landed in Venezuela. - The repatriation is part of Venezuela's "Gran Misión Vuelta a la Patria" program, which facilitate…
Spanish Giants Seek Miraculous Comebacks in Champions League Quarter-Finals
- Real Madrid and Barcelona face uphill battles in their Champions League quarter-final second legs after losing their home matches. - Barcelona must overturn a 2-0 deficit against Atlético Madrid at …
Venezuela signs agreement expanding Chevron's oil production operations
- Venezuela's government has signed an agreement with Chevron to expand oil production operations in the country. - The deal increases Chevron's stake in the mixed company Petroindependencia to 49% an…
'What Will You Do With Edmundo?': Cabello Attacks Opposition, Asserts Chavismo Ready for New Elections
- Venezuelan official Diosdado Cabello criticized the opposition regarding election results and future electoral processes. - Cabello expressed confidence in the ruling party's readiness for new elect…
University Education Minister Denies Budgetary Suffocation of Public Universities
- Venezuela's Minister of University Education, Ana María Sanjuán, denied claims of budget suffocation for public universities. - Sanjuán stated the ministry has attempted dialogue with student repres…
Marco Rubio: US Not Dependent on Venezuelan Oil, Warns Against Adversary Control
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the United States does not need Venezuelan oil and has abundant domestic supply. - Rubio warned against foreign adversaries controlling Venezuela's oil ind…
Venezuela: Business Council Demands Details on Electricity Rationing Plan
Venezuela's National Council of Commerce and Services (Consecomercio) is demanding details about the government's electricity rationing plan, implemented in March to stabilize the power grid. The orga…
Artemis II a Success, But Hardest Challenges Lie Ahead for NASA's Space Program
NASA's Artemis II mission successfully sent four astronauts to orbit the Moon and return them safely to Earth. The Orion spacecraft performed flawlessly, and images from the mission have renewed publi…
Péter Magyar Defeats Orbán in Historic Hungarian Election, Vows Pro-Europe Shift
Péter Magyar has achieved a historic victory against Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party in Hungarian parliamentary elections, positioning himself as a strong contender for the next prime minister. Magyar, a …
Margarita Island Reopens International Flights to Boost Tourism
The island of Margarita, Venezuela, is set to boost its tourism sector with the restoration of international flights from Europe, the Americas, and Colombia starting in September. These new and re-est…
Apple Developing Smart Glasses with AI Integration for 2027 Launch
Apple is reportedly developing smart glasses, codenamed N50, with a planned launch in 2027, possibly previewed in late 2026. The glasses will feature multiple frame styles, various colors, and integra…
Judge Peinado indicts Begoña Gómez on four charges, advancing the case to oral trial
Spanish Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has indicted Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, on charges including influence peddling, business corruption, embezzlement, and fraud. The judge reje…